758 



Peat-Moss Litter Manure. [dec, 



acidity of the manure, this acidity being due to organic 

 acids in the manure and not to mineral ones. I find in the 

 soil (in which the manure has been used) iron compounds 

 present in the ferrous — or not fully oxidised — condition, and 

 it would seem to me likely that these are the result of the 

 liberal use of an organically-acid body such as the peat- 

 moss, and that an unhealthy, imperfectly oxidised condition 

 of the soil has been brought about. 



"Very probably if the manure be kept longer and allowed 

 to rot more thoroughly, it becomes more aerated and 

 oxidised, and then would not show the ill effects noticed. 



"This, it seems to me, is a possible explanation of what 

 has occurred in the present case, and it is the explanation, 

 at least, which would suggest itself to me." 



For the purpose of comparison the following analysis of 

 farmyard manure is taken from the article on Manures in 

 the new edition of the Encyclopedia Britannic a, written by 

 Dr. Voelcker. "Farmyard manure consists of the solid and 

 liquid excreta of animals mixed with the material used as 

 litter. Its composition varies according to the conditions 

 under which it is produced. The principal determining 

 factors are : (i) the nature and age of the animals producing 

 it ; (2) the food that is given them ; (3) the kind and quantity 

 of litter used; (4) whether it be made in feeding boxes, 

 covered yards, or open yards ; (5) the length of time and the 

 way in which it has been stored. 



"This analysis represents the general composition of well- 

 made farmyard manure in which the litter used is straw : — 



Water ... 75*42 



^Organic matter 16*52 



Oxide of iron and alumina ... ... 0*36 



Lime ... 2*28 



Magnesia ... o'i4 



Potash ... 0*48 



Soda o'o8 



f Phosphoric acid ... 0*44 



Sulphuric acid 0*12 



Chlorine 0*02 



Carbonic acid, &c 1-38 



Silica 276 



IOO'OO." 



* Containing nitrogen = 0*59 per cent, which is equal to ammonia 072 per cent, 

 t Equal to phosphate of lime 0-96. 



